Dust disposal unit



Dec; 8, 1942. c; A. SNYDER DUST DISPOSAL UNIT Filed June 6, 19 40 3--Sheets-Sh eet i INVE-N FOR CLYDE A. 5N YDER, BY

W7 1 A M? ATTORNEY 8, 1942. c. A. SNYDER 2,304,744

DUST DISPOSAL UN I'I"v I FiledJ line e, 1940- s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: CL YDE A SNYDER, BY

ATTORNEY Dgc. 8, 1942. 1 c. A. SNYDER 2,304,744

DUSTIDISPOSAL UNIT Filed June 6, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 f 1 ill I! ,8

lNVE OR 0/. v a mi A. SNYDER ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 8, 1942 DUST DISPOSAL UNIT Clyde A. Snyder, Mishawaka, Ind., assignor to v The American Foundry Equipment Company, Mishawaka, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Application June 6, 1940-, Serial No. 339,100

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a dust disposal system, and more particularly to apparatus adapted to be employed in combination with cloth filters or other dry types of dust collectors for wetting and mixing with .water or other. liquids the collected dry dust discharged from the hoppers of I the dry collector.

It is generally recognized in the art that the cloth or filter type of dry dust collector is highly efiicient in the removal of dry dustentrained in the air. However, a serious problem is confronted in the removal of such dry dust from the hopper of the collector because of the tendency of some of the dust to be dispersed into the air upon emptying the hopper. I

The wet type dust collectors, wherein the dust laden air is saturated with a water .spray, have been heretofore used but such wet dust collectors are relatively inefiicient in removing dust from the dust saturated air as compared with the efiiciency obtained with a cloth filter type dust.

collector.

wet and mix with water or other liquids the collected dust discharged from the dry collector.

The wet disposal unit is so designed as to effect a thorough and uniform mixture of the dust and water or other liquids whichwhen discharged is in the form of a sludge or slurry of such a character that it cannot be again picked up, or blown, or dispersed into the air. The unit is provided with a hopper or dust tube chute provided with a receiving conduit which may be de-' tachably connected to the discharge end of the dust collector hopper. A spinner disc is positioned below the discharge end of the dust chute upon which measured quantities of the dry dust may drop. The dust spinner disc rotates in a generally horizontal plane andis connected 'to a An object of this invention is to provide an efiective and practical dust disposal unit adapted to be used in combination with the cloth filter type or other dry type of dust collector whereby the dry dust may be saturated and reduced to a non-dispersible sludge or slurry before it is removed to the open air.

Another object of this invention is to provide a wet disposal unit designed for wetting and'mixing with water or other liquids the collected dust discharged from. the hoppers of the cloth filter type or other dry type of dust collector.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dust collecting and disposal system which combines the high dust collecting efficiency of the cloth filter type dust collector with non-disper sible dust disposal features.

Another object of this invention is to provide a wet dust disposal unit which is highly emcient and practical, which can be associated with dry type dust collectors without requiring change or modification in .the dry collector, which can be constructed and operated economically and at low cost, and wherein the amounts of dust and water to produce the desired sludge mixture may be controlled by the operator.

Other objects of'this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

In accordance with this invention, a dust disposal unit is provided which is designed to be quickly and easily attached to the discharge hopper of a cloth filter type or other dry type of dust collector and which functions and operates to vertical shaft driven by a motor. The spinner shaft rotates within a bearing tube whose lower end is positioned just above the spinner disc and below the discharge end of the dust chute. This bearing tube is formed of two tubular sections adjustably connected end for end so that the lower end of the lower section can be adjustably spaced from the outer cone shaped surface of a liquid deflecting hub attached to rotate with the spinner disc; A liquid supply line leads into the bearing tube at a point above the liquid de fiecting hub. The water escapes through the circular opening defined by the lower end of the lower tubular section and the conical surface of the rotating liquid deflecting hub. This hub defiects the liquid onto the upper surface of the spinner disc where it forms in an outwardly moving film or layer. Dry dust drops from the lower end of the dust chute onto the film of liquid which covers the'spinner disc and the two materials become mixed into a sludge or slurry as they are centrifugally thrown from the periphery of the disc. The dust chute, bearing tube; spinner shaft and spinner disc are enclosed within a suitable housing. A sludge receiving funnel is detachably secured to the lower end of the housing, this 'funnel being provided with a sludge discharge port.

thrown into operation causing the spinner disc to rotate at a rim speed of approximately 6000 to 8000 feet per minute. The lower tubular secv on a carriagemovable on tracks .when looking in the ing in thejdirection of the arrows tion is'vertically adjusted to obtain the desired size of liquid discharge opening between the deflector hub and the lower end of the section. The liquid control valve in the liquid supplyline is opened and liquid is admitted into the lower tubular section which escapes from the opening at the lower end of the section, is deflected by the hub onto the spinned disc on which it spreads into a film moving rapidly outwardly over the disc. A dust feeding device is provided in the dust supply conduit whereby a measured controlled quantity of dust can be fed onto the film- The of liquid which covers the spinner disc. moving water or liquid film and dust become thoroughly but rapidly mixed during its outward movement on the spinner disc, so as to produce a sludge or slurry of such specific gravity that it cannot again become dispersed in the air. The

operator can obtain any desired mixture of 'dry dust and liquid so as to produce a sludge or slurry of the desired consistency by a simple adjustment of the dry dust feed control means or the water control 'means at the deflecting hub, or both.

This improved dust disposal unit is admirably adapted to be associated with a plurality of dry dust collectors. In such an installation, the unit is provided with rollers movable over a track extending underneath the hoppers of the several dust collectors so that the unit can be moved from one hopper to another as required. A

quick coupling device allows rapid connection to the hopper discharge spout.

Various other features and advantages of the V invention will be apparent from the following ing a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is aside elevational view of a complete dust collecting-system including a plurality ofdry cloth filter typedust collectors having associated therewith the wet disposal unit supported positioned beparts throughout the several views oYtHe drawings and specification.

There is shown in Fig.1 a plurality of cloth filter type dust collectors-Awith which a single wet disposal unit may be associated. While there are several well known types of dry dust collectors with which my improved wet disposal unit may be associated, Fig. 1 illustrates a well known cloth tube type of dust collector which may be constructed as shown in my previous patent No. 2,143,664, issued January 10, 1939. Such cloth tube or filter type dust collector comprises generally an enclosed cabinet I formed of sheet metal resting on a suitable framework 2 sup ported some distance from the ground or fioor surface by supporting legs 3. The dust laden-air is drawn into the cabinet I through an inlet conduit 4 and the filtered clarified air is ejected through an outlet conduit I 0. The interior of the cabinet i is divided into a lower dust receiving chamber 5 and an upper dust tube containing chamber 6 by a horizontally extending plate I. The plate! is provided with a plurality of circular holes or apertures 8 each providing an inlet for the dust laden air entering the lower end of a filter bag 9 which surrounds the opening. The bags 8 are formed from heavy cloth or canvas which has a fine mesh or weave. so that thedust is fully filtered out of the air as the air passes through the walls of the bag.

The bags are suitably suspended from a shaker frame Ii positioned at the upper end of bag chamber 6. Suitable driving mechanism may be provided for agitating the frame H so as to shake the bags Sso that the dust particles clinging to the interior thereof will drop out through'the holes 8 in the bag plate I and fall into the dust collecting hopper l2 attached to the lower end of the cabinet I. A suitable suction fan is generally provided for drawing the dust laden air.

into the filter bags 9 and the filtered air through the walls of the filter bags and into the clarified air discharge conduit I0. It is appreciated that other types 'of dry dust collectors may beused in combination with the wet disposal unit.

The dry dust d filtered from the air collects in the dust collector hopper i2. A discharge spout |2"is fixed to the lower end of the hopper low the hopper of the dust collector, certain parts tural details;

- Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view through the wet disposal unit as it appears direction of the arrows V I unit with certain parts broken away to illustrate structural details; and --Fig. 6is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the unit as it appears when look- 6-6 of Fig. 2, thisviewjint'ending to illustrate generally the movement ofthe liquid and dust when theunit is in operation.

Similar reference characters refer to similar 2, certain being broken away to illustrate certain struc- 12. The discharge spout .I2'- is provided with a suitable spout closure such as a movable plug valve 23 fixed to the end of a lever 24 rockably mounted on a suitable bracket 24'. Other forms of closure valves mayof course be used to retain the collected dust within the hopper I2 when closed and permit removal of the dust from. the discharge spout l2 when opened.

The dust which is collected within the hopper l2 comprises particles of foreign matter which are so finely comminuted that they are normally held suspended in the air. It will be appreciated that the dust contained in the hopper l2 must be periodically-removed if the dust collectors are to. operate properly. The disposal of this dry dust presents a serious problem. Due to its dispersible nature it cannot be dumped into piles or open pits. A slight air movement will cause a swirl of dust to be generated which is deleterious to health and otherwise objectionable. This dry dust is so bulky thatit cannot be run into tanks or closedpits as these tanks or pits would soon be filled with the bulky dust. Nor can the" dust be emptied into sewers, streams or bodies of water since much of the dust is so light that it-would float upon the surface of the water'and thus continue to constitute a dust menace.

The wet disposal unit herein described operates to quickly and efliciently saturate the dry dust with water or any selected liquid so as to reduce the material to a non-dispersible sludge or slurry whose total volume is a fraction of that of the loose dust as contained in the dust collector hoppers l2.

The unit generally comprises a dust receiving chute or cone l provided with an inlet conduit i4 which 'may be detachably connected to the lower end of a flexible connecting tube I3 which is attached to the end of the hopper spout i2 by a suitable attaching strap 4i. The dust chute i6 as well as other parts of the apparatus is contained within a housing i6 provided with a sludge receiving hopper ii. The dust discharged from the dust chute i5 is deposited upon a high speed mixing disc l8 fixed to the end of a vertically extending shaft is driven by a motor 26. Water or other liquid supplied by piping 2i is discharged onto the outer conical surface of a hub member 22 which deflects the water onto the mixing disc i8. The mechanism is so constructed as'to cause an instantaneous mixing of the dust and liquid and the sludge thus produced drops into the sludge receiving hopper i1.

The dust receiving chute i5 comprises more particularly a generally conically shaped member having a conically shaped side wall 30 formed of sheet metal, the lower end ofwhich is cut off to provide a dust discharge opening 3|. The upper end of the truncated conical side wall 30 terminates in an outturned flange 32 which rests upon a rectangular shaped frame 33 which provides a supporting framework for the unit. The housing i6 comprises generally four enclosing side walls 34 formed from sheet metal the upper ends of which are fixed to and supported by the rectangular framework 33. The top of the housing is closed by a closure plate 35 suitably secured to the framework 33. The top wall 35 is provided with a dust receiving opening or aperture 36 which leads into the dust receiving chute IS. The dust supply conduit l4, which may be formed'of sheet metal, is so arranged as to conduct the dust through the receiving opening 36 in the top wall 35 and permit it to fall into the receiving chute l5.

The supply conduit i4 is of special construction and is provided with a body portion 25 which contains a driven dust feeding device 26, a discharge portion 21 and a dust entry portion 28.

The flexible connecting spout l3 may be formed of canvas which is provided with a metal collar 29 which telescopes over the entry portion 26 of the supply conduit i4. The lower end of the flexible conduit I3 is secured to the collar 29 by means of a flexible band 31. Thus the flexible conduit 13 carried by the discharge spout i2 of the collector hopper l2 may be quickly connected to supply conduit i4 of the unit merely by telescoping the collar 29 over the entry portion 28 thereof. 7

I end of the lower tubular member 39, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. Thus the lower tubular section has a vertically sliding fit with the upper tubular section, for a purpose which will presently be explained. The sleeve portion 42 is-provided with a plurality of spaced vertically extending slots 44 through which set screw bolts 45 extend. The threaded ends of the set screw bolts 45 screw into ,threaded apertures provided in the sleeve portion 43. By manipulating the set screws 45 vertical adjustment of the lower tubular sleeve can be effected and the lower end 46 of this sleeve may be held in any desired fixed position.

The vertical shaft i9 extends up through the concentric tubular sections 33 and 39 with the a lower end thereof extending generally below the A tubular member comprising an upper section I 38 and a lower section 39 is positioned within the housing i6 so that their axes are concentric with the axis of the truncated conically shaped side wall 30 of the dust chute l5. The upper tubular section 38 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 40 at its upper end by means of which it may be secured as by bolts 46' to the top wall 35 of the housing. The lower end of the upper tubular section 38 is provided with a sleeve portion 42 which telescopes over and snugly fits around a sleeve portion 43 provided at the upper lower end 46 of the lower tubular section. The shaft I6 is journalled in a suitable bearing 47 fixed to a supporting collar 48 positioned within the upper tubular section 38. The collar 48 is fixed to the upper tubular section 38 by means of suitable set screws 49.. Thusit will be appreciated that the shaft i9 is free to rotate within the normally stationary aligned tubular sections 38 and 33, with the lower tubular section 39 free for vertical adjustment.

The lower end of the shaft It! extends through a concentric opening provided in the liquid defleeting hub 22. It will be noted that this hub has a generally conically shaped outer surface 5|. The mixing disc i8 seats against the lower face of the deflecting hub 22 and is secured to the end of the shaft i9 by a threaded securing bolt 52 which extends through a hole in the disc i8 and "is threaded into a threaded hole in the end of the shaft IS. The hub 22 is fixed to rotate with the'disc ID by means of a pair of spaced pins 53 which extend into aligned sockets in the upper face of the disc 3 and the lower face of the hub 22. v r

The upper end of the shaft I9 is contained within a suitable motor housing 54 formed of sheet metal, which comprises enclosing side walls 55 and a top wall 56, which rests upon the top wall 35 of the housing I6. The housing 54 may be lifted ofl the housing l6 to provide access to the motor 26 bylifting handles 51 attached to the side walls 55. The housing 54 partially overhangs the housing i6 to provide an opening 56 through which air may flow to ventilate the motor 20. The motor 20 is fixed to a suitable bracket 58 which is supported upon a vertical plate 59 which is provided with side flanges 59' (see Fig. 5) secured to the adjacent top wall 35 of the housing 16. A horizontally extending frame member 60 of angular cross-section has its vertical leg 60' secured to the plate 53. An upper shaft bearing 6| through which the shaft l9 extends is suitably fixed to the horizontal leg 60" of the frame member 60. The upper end of the shaft i3 carries a suitable sheave 62 around which the V-belts 63 are trained. These belts 63 are also trained to pass around a sheave 64 fixed to the upwardly projecting shaft 65 of the motor 20. It will be noted that the motor shaft 65 is so arranged as to'stand in a vertical position. A suitable motor switch 66 is supported upon one of the switch 66..

Water is supplied to the unit by a water supply collar II which can be screwed onto the threaded nipple I2 of a water supply pipe I3 which forms a permanent part of the unit. The water supply pipe I3 i's provided with a water flow control valve 14 having a control handle I8 for controlling the volume of water flowing therethrough. The/water supply lead-in pipe I8 is connected to a threaded sleeve 18 which extends through one of the side walls 34 of the homing I8, which in turn is connected to a flexible rubber tubin'g I1 by a suitable coupling 11.. The flexible tubing 1'! is connected as'by a coupling I8 to a metal nozzle 19 extending through a suitable hole in the lower tubular section 39. A rubber or metal sealing gasket .88

is secured to the inner surface of the lower tubular section 88 and at a point directly above the nozzle I9, the gasket 88 having a central aperture 8| through which the shaft I8 extends. A rubber .or metal sealing gasket 82 positioned directly below the sealing gasket 88 is fixed to the shaft I8 to rotate therewith and is arranged to overlap the gasket 88. The peripheral edge 83 of the gasket 82 extends substantially to the inner surface of the lower tubular section 39. The gaskets or plates 88 and 82 prevent any water discharged 1 into the lower tubular section 39 from entering the bearing 81.

As illustrated in Fig. 6, the lower end of the lower tubular section 39 and the conical surface 5| of the hub 22 deflne in effect a water retaining pocket 84 which is supplied with water by the nozzle I9 which forms a part of the water supply line 2|. The lower end 48 of the lower tubular section 39 and the conical surface 5| of the hub 22 deflne a generally circular water escape opening 85. It will be appreciated that the size of the opening 85 can be adjusted by vertical manipulation of the lower tubular section 89 which may be held in any desired vertically adjusted position by the set screws 45. The flexible rubber tubing I'Ipermits free vertical adjustment of the lower tubular section 39. Thus the amount of water flowing over the conical surface 5| of the liquid dispersion hub 22 may be definitely controlled.

The water or liquid flowing from the opening 85 is deflected by the conical surface 6| of the dispersion hub 22- onto the mixing disc I8. The water or liquid w deposited on the mixing disc I8 spreads over the disc in a fllm or thin layer rapidly impelled outwardly toward the outer periphery of thedisc I8. The dry dust d entering the conical dust chute I5 admitted through opening 38 is distributed by a deflector plate 86, as shown in Fig. '2, so that'the dry dust will discharge substantially uniformly from the circular discharge end 3| of the chute I5. The deflector plate 86 is secured to the tubular section 38 of the chute I5 in generally downwardly inclined position and is arranged to surround the tubular section 88 with the periphery of the deflector plate generally spaced from the conical wall 38 of the chute I5. The upper end 88 of the deflector plate 86 is so positioned that it will deflect approximately one-v half of the dry dust entering the chute iithrough opening 88 to the opposite side of the conical wall 38, so that approximately uniform discharge through the circular opening 3| in the chute I5 is obtained.

The dry dust d discharging from the circular opening 3| in the chute I5 drops down onto the fllm of water or liquid w spread over the top surface of the mixing disc I8. To insure rapid and thorough mixing of the dust with the water to number of holes 88 which serve to agitate the water film on the disc" and facilitates thorough mixing of the water or liquid and dry dust. The

water and dust mixture reduced to sludge and is hurled at a relatively high velocity from the pe riphery of the disc I8 and spatters against a protecting plate 88 fixed to the inside face of the enclosing side walls 84 of the housing I8 from which it drops into the sludge receiving hopper I'I.

It will also be appreciated that the mixing disc I8 also causes ,a substantial circulation of flnely divided ,water; or water mist and dust so as to further facilitate the mixing thereof within the housing I8. Due to the high. speed rotation of the mixing disc II, the mixing effect of-the water and dust is truly enormous even though the mixing disc I8 may be only twelve to twenty-four inches in diameter. with a mixing disc of this size the dry dust in the dust collector hopper I2 can be withdrawn and reduced to sludge substantially as fast as the dust can be withdrawn from the discharge spout I2 of the dust collector hop per if no sludge reducingunit was employed.

It will be appreciated that upon longstanding the dust in the collector hoppers I2 may have formed into cohesive lumps which would prevent I a uniform flow of loose dust into the dust chute I6. To break up dust lumps and to obtain a metered and uniform delivery of loose dust into the dust chute I6, I have provided a dust feeding device 28 which comprises a plurality of radially extending vanes 8| fixed to a shaft 92 rotatably mounted in bearings 88 provided'in the two end walls 84 forming a part of the body portion 28 l of the feed conduit I8. The. body portion 26 is further provided with two arcuate shaped side J walls 85 which are so-formed that no dust can escape into the dust chute I6 unless the feeder 28 is rotating. When the feeding device 28 is rotated the vanes 8| thereof serve to breakup any dust lumps or packed dust so that the dust is discharged in a finely dispersed stream from thecontracted discharge outlet 8| of the dust chute I8.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 3 and 5, the feeding device 28 is driven by a motor 98 operably connected to the shaft 82 of the feeding device 26 by a suitable variable speed reducer, which may be of any well known type. For the purpose of illustration only. there is shown in Figs. 3 and 5 what is known as a "Reeves speed reducer which comprises in its essentialsa split pulley, one conical portion 81 thereof being fixed to the motor shaft I88 and the companion conical portion 98 thereof being slidably but rotatably mounted on the same-motor shaft. A driving,

belt MI is trained between the conical paired portions 81 and 88, which portions are normally pressed together 'by a coil spring I82 which surrounds the outer end of the motor shaft I88.

provide a sludge of the desired consistency, the

One end-of the coil spring I82 presses against a nut 88 fixed to the end of motor shaft I88 and the other end presses against the conical half portion 88. The belt I 8| is also trained around pulley I83 flxed toa shaft I88 rotatably mounted in stationary bearing I86 supported by bracket I. The shaft III also carries a small pulley wheel I88 which receives belt I81 trained around pulley I88 fixed to shaft 82 of the feeding device.

When the Reeves type of variable speed reducer is used the motor 88 is generally flxed to a slider-plate I89 which slides within a stationary base block II8 which may be supported upon the top wall 35 of the housing I6. The threaded shank 'rtion of shaft III extends through a threaded sleeve II3 forming a part of the motor slider plate I09. The unthreaded portion of the shaft I I I extends through and rotates in a hearing collar 1 I0 fixed to the stationary block H0. The outer end of shaft III is provided with a hand wheel II4 which may be manipulated to slide the plate I09 on which the motor 96 is mounted on the base block IIO. Thus when the motor 96 is drawn away from stationary bearing I05, the conical half portions 91 and 98 split apart against the action of the coil spring I02 to permit the belt I 0i to slip deeper into the split pulley formed by the half portions 91 and 90 and thus decrease the rotating speed of the vanes 9| of the feeding device. When the motor 96 is moved closer to the stationary bearing I05, the half portions 9? and 98 move closer together under the action of coil spring I02 so as to force the belt IOI nearer to the outer periphery of the half portions 91 and 90, thus increasing the rotating speed of the feeder vanes 9!. It will be appreciated that other well known variable speed reducers may be employed whereby the speed of rotation of the feeder vanes 9i may be regulated and controlled.

Since ample room is provided in the motor housing 54 for additional mechanism, a portion of the speed reducing mechanism, as shown in Fig. 5, may be contained therein. One of th side walls 55 of the motor housing 54 has a suitable opening III through which a' secondary housing I I8 which encloses the variable speed reducer and the motor 96 may be inserted. The housing H8 comprises enclosing side walls I I 9 which are suitably notched or cut away tohtake care of projecting portions of the machinery. The top of the housing H8 is enclosed by a top wall I and the housing I I8 can be lifted off by handle I2I attached to the top wall I20. The housings 54 and I I8 serve the purpose of protecting the machinery contained therein against damage from dirt and weather and'prevent injury to persons who might otherwise come in contact therewith.

The sludge hopper I! may be removably connected to the lower end or the housing I6 so that access may be had whenever desired into-the mechanism contained within the housing I6. The upper end of the sludge hopper I1 is provided with an outwardly flared flange I which seats under a flnage I26 flaring outwardly from the-side walls 34 of the housing. The housing flange I26 is provided with a plurality of. spaced lugs I21 having an aperture through which one leg I28 of an L-pin I29 extends. The other leg I30 of the L-pin I29 is threaded and extends downwardly, and receives a threaded cap nut I3I.

The flanges I25 and I26 are provided with aligned slots I32 to receive the downwardly extending leg I30 of the L-pin I29. The cap nuts I3I may be manipulated to press against the flange I25 of the hopper and firmly secure the hopper to the laterally extending flange I26 of the housing. When cap nuts I3I are loosened they may be swung laterally so as to release them from engagement with the hopper flange I25, permitting the hopper to be removed from the housing.

The lower end of the sludge hopper I1 is provided with a discharge spout I35 which is normally closed by a suitable valve, such as a gate valve I36, which slides within a guide I31 supported by the discharge spout I35. Upon opening the gate valve I36 the sludge may be' permitted to drop into a suitable conveyor such as a of the dust collectors. For example, a pair of spaced'tracks I40, either channel shaped or I- shaped in cross-section, may be secured to the supporting uprights 3 of the dust collectors in suitable spaced relationship. The unit is then provided with two pairs of wheels I which are adapted to roll upon the tracks I40. The wheels MI are rotatably mounted upon suitable axles I42 fixed to the frame 33 of the unit. When thu's mounted the unit may be wheeled under any one of the'discharge hoppers of the dust collectors at intervals as may be required and the collar 29 attached to the flexible conduit I3 of the dust collector to be emptied slipped over the entry portion 28 of the supply spout I4 of the unit.

In operating the disposal unit; the switch 66 is manipulated to throw the motor 20 into operation, causing rapid rotation of the mixing disc I8 and of the water diffusion hub 22. Assuming that the lower tubular section 39 has been first properly adjusted, the water supply valve .14 is opened the desired amount by manipulating the valve handle I5. Water or other desired liquid then flows into the pocket 04, escapes through the connected to'power cable 61 leading to motor 20.

The speed of rotation of the dust feeder. vanes BI is controlled through the variable speed reducer above described by manipulating the control wheel I I4. The speed of rotation of the dust feeder vanes 9I is so controlled and regulated as to feed the desired quantity of loose dust. into the dust chute I5. The operator can control the desired water and dust mixture either by regulating the speed of rotation of the dust feeder vanes 9| or the quantity of water permitted to pass through the water discharge opening 85. Usually when the proper portions of dust and water have been determined to produce a sludge of the proper consistency, the speed of rotation of the feeder vanes 9 I, the setting of the water control valve I4,

The wet disposal unit herein illustrated and 7 described effectively solves the problem of disposing of dry dust from otherwise highly efficient dry dust collectors. The disposal unit is a selfcontained machine which may be permanently or detachably connected to the hopper of any dry dust collector. A single disposal. unit will take care of the dry dust from almost any desired number of dry dust collectors by mounting the unit on a suitable carriage movable under the hoppers of the dust collectors. A thorough and uniform mixing of the water and dust will be efiected whereby a sludge of any desired consistency can be obtained. The water line may bedetachably 'a sludge mixture of said water and dust.

connected to the unit so that no water is in the unit when not in use. The unit itself is of simple construction, requires little power to operate, and all parts are easily accessible for inspection and I replacement. The unit will handle dust approximately as fast as the hopper can be unloaded when the dust is dry so that substantially no time is lost in unloading.

While certain novel-features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed'claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made'by those skilled'in the art without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

What is-claimed is:

1. A sludge producing unit including, a dust chute of generally inverted truncated conical form, aconduit for supplying dust to the upper enlarged end of said dust chute, a dust feeding device positioned within said conduit for controlling the quantity of dust admitted into said chute, a perforated spinner disc positioned to receive dust. discharging from the lower contracted end of said conical chute mounted to rotate in a generally horizontal plane, means portion of said shaft, a water diffusion member positioned adjacent the lower end of said tubular member operable todirect a stream of water onto said plate, means for supplying water to said tubular member, means for controlling the volume of water supplied to said diffusion member, and means for'rotating said spinner disc whereby the water deposited on said spinner disc becomes mixed with the dust discharged from said dust chute.

5. A sludge producing unitincluding, an enclosed housing, a spinner plate in said housing adapted to rotate about a generally vertical axis, a downwardly tapered dust chute in said housing having itslower reduced discharge end positioned to" deposit dust on said spinner plate, a driven shaft fixed to said spinner plate, a normally stationary tubular member surrounding a portion of said shaft, said tubular member comprising an upper section fixed to said housing and a lower section 'adjustably secured to said fixed section, a water diffusion hub positioned adjacent the lower end of said lower tubular section and fixed to said shaft, said hub being operable positioned adjacent the axis of rotation of said disc for dispersing water thereon, means for supplying water to said dispersing means, and means for rotating said disc to effect a sludge mixture of said water and dust. v

2. A sludge producing unit including, a dust feeding chute of generally inverted truncated conical form, a conduit for supplying dust to the upper enlarged end of said dust feeding chute,

a rotatably mounteddevice having a plurality of radially extending vanes positioned within said conduit forcontro'lling the quantity of dust admitted into said chute, a spinner plate positioned to receive dust discharging from the lower contracted end of said conical chute arranged to rotate in a generally horizontal plane, means positioned to direct a stream of dry dust toward,

positioned adjacent the axis of rotation of said plate for directing a stream of water thereon, means for supplying water to said directing means, and means for rotating said plate to effect 3. A sludge producing unit including, a dust feeding chute of generally inverted truncated conical form, a conduit for supplying dust to the upper enlarged end of said dust feeding chute,

a rotatably mounted dust metering device positioned within said conduit, means for rotating said device at variable speeds to control the quantity of dust admitted into said chute, a perforated spinner plate positioned to receive dust discharging from the lower contractedend of said conical chute arranged to rotate in a generally horizontal plane, means positioned adjacent the axis of rotation of said plate for controlling the volume of water discharged onto said plate, means for supplying water to said control means, and means for rotating said plate to effect a sludge mixture of the water and dust deposited,

on said plate.

4. A sludge producing unit adapted to be associated with a dry dust collector having a dry dust-receiving hopper, said unit including, a perforated spinner plate adapted to rotate about a generally vertical axis, a downwardly tapered dust chute having its lower reduced discharge end positioned to deposit dust .on said spinner to direct a substantially uniform stream of water onto said spinner plate, piping for supplying water to said tubularlmember, and'means for controlling the quantity of dust discharged from said dust chute onto said spinner plate.

6. A sludge producing unit adapted to be as-- sociated with a plurality of dry dust collectors each having a dry dust receiving hopper, said funit including, an enclosed housing, rollers supporting said housing movable along a trackway extending under the hoppersof said dust collectors, a spinner plate in said housing, a dust chute in'said housing having its discharge end said spinner plate, a water dispersion element for directing a distributed stream of water onto said spinner plate, a normally stationary tubular member having its lower end telescoping over said dispersion element to define a waterdischarge opening therebetween, a'rotatable shaft extending through said tubular member connected to said spinner plate, and driving means operably connectedto said shaft at a point exterior to said housing for rotating said spinner plate whereby said spinner plate operates to effect a thorough mixing of the dispersed water and dust falling from the discharge end of said dust chute, and means for detachably connecting said chute to the hopper of anyone of such dust collectors to be emptied. 1

plate, means for connecting the upper end of I said dust chute to the dust collector hopper, a

driven shaft fixed to said spinner plate, a normally stationary tubular member surrounding a "'7. A sludge producing unit adapted to be associated with a dry dust collector having a dustreceiving hopper, said unit including, an enclosed housing, a spinner plate in said housing, a downwardly tapered dust chute in said housing having its lower reduced discharge end positioned to direct a stream of dry dust onto said spinner plate, means for connecting said chute to the dust collector hopper, a water dispersion element fixed to saidspinner plate, a driving motor exterior to said housing operatively connected to said shaft, and a hopper for receiving the water dust mixture thus produced. I

, 8. A sludge producing unit adapted to be associated with a plurality of dry dust collectors ranged in a generally horizontal plane, a drive shaft having its lower end extending-into said housing and fixed to said spinner plate, driving means exterior to said housing operatively connected to the upper end of said shaft to rotate the same, a dust chute of inverted truncated conical form in said housing having its lower reduced discharge end positioned to direct a stream of dry dust onto such spinner plate, an element having a generally conical water dispersing surface centrally secured to said spinner plate, a vertically adjustable tubular member in said chute having its lower end partially surrounding the conical surface of said element to define a variable water discharge opening therebetween, means for supplying water to said tubular member, and means for detachably connecting said chute to the hopper of any one of said dust collectors to be emptied.

9. A sludge producing unit, said unit designed for association with a dry dust collector having a dust receiving hopper including an enclosed housing, a dust chute of inverted truncated conical form positioned within said housing. a norto be rotated by said shaft, means for supplying water to said tubular member, a dust supply con-v duit, a dust feeding device in said conduit operable to control the quantity of dust passing into said chute, and means for connecting said supply conduit to said dust receiving hopper.

10. A sludge producing unit adapted for association with a dry dust collector having a dust receiving hopper, said unit including an enclosed housing, a dust chute of inverted truncated conical form positioned within said housing, .a dust conduit leading to said chute, means for detachably connecting said conduit to the dust receiving hopper a normally stationary tubular member positioned within said dust chute and having its lower end extending below the lower reduced discharge end of said chute, a shaft rotatably mounted in said tubular member, a sludge producing disc fixed to the lower end of said shaft arranged to rotate in a generally horizontal plane and to receive the dust ejected from the reduced end of said chute, a water dispersion member of collectors, a spinner plate in said housing argenerally conical shape positioned adjacent the lower end of said tubular member and fixed to be rotated by said shaft, means for supplying water to said dispersion member, a rotatably mounted dust feeding device in said conduit operable to-control the quantity of dust passing into said chute, means for driving said feeding device at variable speeds, and means for controlling the volume of water projected over said sludge producing disc by said dispersion member.

11. A sludge producing unit designed for association with a-dry dust collector having a dust receivinghopper, said unit including, a housing, a dust chute of inverted truncated conical form in said housing, a normally stationary tubular member positioned within said dust chute having its lower reduced end extending below the discharge end of said chute, a shaft rotatably mounted in said tubular member, a mixing disc fixed to the lower end ofsaid shaft arranged to rotate in a generally horizontal plane and. to

receive the dust ejected from the reduced end of said chute, a water dispersion member fixed to be rotated by said'shaft and positioned adjacent the lower end of said tubular member and defining a water discharge opening therebetween, means forsupplying water to said tubular membar, a rotatably mounted dust feeding device operable to control the quantity of dust passing through said chute and onto said mixing disc, means for driving said feeding devicerat variable speeds, and'means for controlling the water volume projected onto said mixing disc.

12. A sludge-producing unit adapted for association with a dry dust collector having a dry dust-receiving hopper, said unit including a perforated spinner disc mounted for rotation in a substantially horizontal plane, a dust chute having aTdischarge end positioned to direct a stream of dust onto said spinner disc, means for detachably connecting the upper end of said chute to the dust collector hopper, means for projecting a stream of water onto said spinner disc, and means for rotating said spinner disc whereby the water deposited on said spinner disc becomes tical axis, a dust chute having its discharge end positioned above said spinner plate, a driven shaft fixed to said spinner plate, a normally stationary tubular member surrounding a portion of said shaft, a water diffusion member positioned adjacent the lower end of said tubular member and fixed to said shaft, meansfor detachably connecting said chute to the hopper of any one of such dust collectors to be emptied,

and means for supplying water to saidtubular member. 1

" CLYDE A. SNYDER. 

